1. 'We know that the Son of God is come. This is the true God and life eternal' (1 John v. 20). 'Christ who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen' (Rom. ix. 5).

2. In Him [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporally'i.e., substantially (Col. ii. 9). Of Christ, the Son of God, St. John says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made' (John i. 1-3). 'In Him [Christ] were all things created in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and in Him; and He is before all, and by Him all things consist' (Col. i. 16, 17). 'By His Son God made the world, who, being the brightness of His glory and the figure of His substance, upholds all things by the word of His power' (Hebr. i. 2, 3).

3. In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father' (Phil. ii. 10, 11). 'Let all the angels of God adore Him' (Hebr. i. 6).

The Apostles also confirmed their doctrine of the Divinity of Jesus by innumerable miracles which they wrought in the name of Jesus, and by the most stupendous of all miracles, the conversion of the world (Short Hist. of Revealed Rel., 28, 29, etc.). 34. What does the Catholic Church teach of Jesus Christ?

The Catholic Church has ever believed and taught that Jesus Christ is true God, and of one substance with God the Father; and in defence of this fundamental Christian doctrine, she composed, at the Council of Nice, a special Creed, and excommunicated those who taught the contrary. (See Short Hist. of Revealed Rel., 36.)

The holy Martyrs also professed this belief, and suffered with joy indescribable torments, nay, death itself, for it; and it often pleased God to confirm their possession by undeniable miracles. One of these is particularly remarkable. It took place in Africa in 484, and is attested by many unobjectionable eye-witnesses. For when Hunneric, King of the Arian Vandals, who most cruelly persecuted those who professed the Divinity of Christ, had had the tongues of the orthodox Christians of the city of Tipisa torn out, they spoke without tongues as fluently and distinctly as before, and proclaimed everywhere that Jesus Christ is true God, and of one substance with the Father.

About sixty of them fled to Constantinople, where all the town saw them, and heard them speak daily, and that for many years.

Application. Wickedness dims the understanding. Be always pious and virtuous, and you will never have any doubts respecting the truth of your faith. If any man will do the will of Him that sent me, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God' (John vii. 16, 17).

THE THIRD ARTICLE.

'Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.'

(See Short Hist. of Revealed Rel., 21, 22, 23.*)

1. What does the Third Article of the Creed principally teach us?

It teaches us that the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, became man through the operation of the Holy Ghost, was born of the Virgin Mary, and is called our Lord Jesus Christ.

'The Word [the Only-begotten of the Father] was made flesh, and dwelt among us' (John i. 14).

2. What do we call this Mystery?

The Incarnation of the Son of God.

3. What is, then, our belief concerning Jesus Christ, when we believe the Mystery of the Incarnation?

We believe that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man, or that He is a God-Man: He is God from eternity, and became man in time.

When Christ says, 'I and the Father are one,' He speaks of Himself as God; and when He says, 'The Father is greater than I,' He speaks of Himself as Man.

4. What do we mean by saying Jesus Christ is also true man?

We mean that He had a human body and a human

*The history of the Birth, Life, and Passion of Christ is to be learned from he Short History of Revealed Religion.

soul; that He could feel and suffer as we can; and that He was like to us in all things except in sin.

5. How many natures, then, are there in Jesus Christ? There are two natures in Jesus Christ, the Divine and the human.

6. Are there also in Jesus Christ two wills distinct from one another?

Yes, in Jesus Christ there is a Divine will and a human will, which, however, is always in perfect subjection to the Divine will.

'Father, not my will, but Thine be done' (Luke xxii. 42). 7. Are there also two persons in Jesus Christ?

No, Jesus Christ is only one Divine Person; for the two natures are inseparably united in the one Person of the Son of God.

8. Why is the Incarnation of the Son of God attributed to the operation of the Holy Ghost?

Because it is especially an effect of the Divine love and mercy towards man.

'God so loved the world as to give His Only-begotten Son' (John iii. 16).

9. From whom did the Son of God take His human nature?

From Mary, the purest of Virgins; therefore she is also called Mother of God.' (Feast of the Annuncia

6

tion of B. V. Mary.)

10. Why is Mary called the purest of Virgins '? Because she always remained a Virgin incomparably pure and entirely undefiled, not only before but also at and after the birth of the Divine Child.

'Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel, that is, God with us' (Isai. vii. 14). In the Holy Scriptures near relations are often called brethren; as Lot and Abraham. In like manner the cousins of Jesus are called His brethren (Matt. xii. 46).

11. Why is Mary called 'Mother of God,' since Christ took only His 'human' nature from her?

She is justly so called because Christ, who was born of her according to the flesh, is true God.

'The Holy One which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God' (Luke i. 35). The doctrine of Nestorius, that Mary is not to be called the Mother of God, was condemned as heretical by the General Council of Ephesus in 431.

12. Do we believe that, therefore, Mary is equal to God?

No; Mary is a creature and therefore infinitely below God.

13. Had Jesus Christ also an earthly father?

As Man, Jesus Christ had no father; for Joseph, the virgin-spouse of Mary, was only His foster father.

'Jesus being [as it was supposed] the Son of Joseph' (Luke iii. 23).

14. Why did the Son of God become man?

1. That He might be able to suffer and die for us; for as God He could neither suffer nor die; and 2. That by the example of His life, as well as by His word, He might teach us virtue and holiness.

15. What virtues does Jesus teach us by His example? All virtues in the highest degree, especially zeal for the honor of God,1 and for the salvation of men;2 meekness, humility, patience, kindness and mercy towards. every one, even our greatest enemies; and obedience to His Heavenly Father unto death.8

6

6

3

4

2

1 Chastisement of the profaners of the Temple. Jesus the good shepherd. Reprimand of the Apostles who were going to call fire from Heaven. Washing of the feet of the Apostles. "His Passion. Jesus, the merciful Samaritan; Jesus at the well of Jacob; in the house of Zacheus, etc. 'Friend, whereto art thou come?' 'Father, forgive them.' 'Father, not my will, but Thine be done.'

76

86

16. What example does Jesus give in particular to young people?

He teaches them, by His example, readily to obey, to take delight in prayer and instruction, to love to stay

in the house of God, and to advance in wisdom and grace as they do in age.

The Child Jesus in the Temple and at Nazareth.

17. Why did Jesus Christ make choice of a poor and humble life?

1. That He might suffer for us from the very beginning of His life; and 2. To teach us that we ought not to love and seek the vain goods of this world.

Application. Give thanks to God with your whole heart for having taken the form of a servant, and become a poor child for the love of you; especially when you hear the Angelus-bell ring in the morning, at noon, and at night. Resolve also to perform all your actions in the manner you know Jesus did His. If you do this, you will be sure to please God, whether you be rich or poor. (Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, or Christmas day.)

THE FOURTH ARTICLE.

'Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.

(See Short Hist. of Revealed Rel., 25,

26.)

1. What does the Fourth Article of the Creed teach us?

It teaches us that Jesus Christ suffered for us, died on the cross, and was laid in the grave.

2. Did Christ really die?

Yes; His soul was truly separated from His body.

3. Why did Christ will to be buried?

In order that His death might be the more undeniable, and His resurrection the more glorious and credible. 4. Did Christ suffer as God or as man?

Christ suffered as man—that is, according to His human nature.

5. Was Christ compelled to suffer death?